US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Michael Day, is on his first trip to American Samoa since assuming the duties of Commander of the Fourteenth District in June of last year.
He is responsible for Coast Guard operations in Oceania including Hawaii, Guam, Northern Marianas, American Samoa, and activities in Singapore and Japan.
KHJ News asked Admiral Day, if there’s any progress on plans to increase Coast Guard presence in American Samoa.
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Admiral Day met with Acting Governor Talauega Eleasalo Ale, on Tuesday, to discuss ways to work collaboratively to advance maritime governance as part of the rules-based international order essential to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The Acting Governor emphasized the importance of the tuna industry in American Samoa, and commends the USCG’s continued support as American Samoa plans to increase traffic of boats that will import oil and supplies to benefit our people. 
“We recognize that having the Coast Guard’s presence here allows for security, the enforcement of law, and the protection of life out at sea,” remarked Acting Governor Talauega. “We look forward to new ways to forge partnerships in the Pacific Region and continue the good work.”
Accompanying Admiral Day was Captain Aja Kirksey, who assumed Command of Sector Honolulu in June 2022, and directs all Coast Guard missions in Sector Honolulu’s area of responsibility, a broad expanse of the Pacific that includes 1.4 million square nautical miles of ocean; Master Chief, Andrea L. Martynowski, Command Master Chief, Fourteenth Coast Guard District; Lt. Shane P. Corbett, Military Aide to the Commander, Fourteenth Coast Guard District; Lt. Richard Quintana, Supervisor, Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa and Vernatius Frank Thomsen, Assistant Supervisor, Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa.
Several cabinet members were also present to discuss key issues and seeking training opportunities in areas of border security and marine patrol: Acting Attorney General Roy Hall, Director Samana Ve’ave’a, Deputy Treasurer Levi Reese, Acting Director of Search and Rescue Sinauli Galoia, ASEDA Executive Director Blanche Barber, Port Director Falenaoti Loi-On and Chief of Customs Elisara Elisara.
The meeting concluded with an exchange of gifts.
